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The Jacksonville Jaguars will begin their four-year foray as the NFL's home team in London by "hosting" a heavyweight next season.

The Jags will face the San Francisco 49ers at Wembley Stadium on Oct. 27, 2013, the first of four consecutive years when the Jaguars will sacrifice a home date in Jacksonville to play across the pond.

"Everyone associated with the Jacksonville Jaguars is very much looking forward to our four home games in London through 2016, and we're particularly thrilled and honored that our first opponent will be the San Francisco 49ers," Khan said in London on Thursday.

"This is a unique and important opportunity for the Jaguars franchise, as well as for our fans and community. To share this stage in our first year at Wembley with a rising power like the 49ers will bring additional attention and respect to what we're trying to achieve as a franchise. We can't wait to see our global vision for the Jaguars become reality next season."

Serving as the home team, the 49ers beat the Denver Broncos 24-16 in London during the 2010 season.

"The 49ers are excited and privileged to once again serve as ambassadors for the NFL and the game of football internationally," said 49ers CEO Jed York. "Our 2010 experience in London was tremendous. The atmosphere at Wembley Stadium on game day was electric. The ability for us to share 49ers football with our faithful fans internationally is a treat for everyone in our organization."

The St. Louis Rams will host the New England Patriots at Wembley on Oct. 28. The Rams were initially slated to be London's loaner through 2014 but backed out amid their current efforts to secure stadium improvements to the Edward Jones Dome and building stronger roots in St. Louis ... or possibly relocate if that doesn't happen.

In its bid to become a more global game, the NFL is expected to soon schedule multiple regular-season dates in the United Kingdom, which has shown a strong appetite for the American game and has hosted one contest per season since 2007. If such foreign fervor can be expanded, league expansion abroad could happen in the future.